With Trumpet, Drum and Fife' is described as a 'short treatise covering the rise and fall of military musical instruments on the battlefield'. Despite there being a plethora of books about military music, 'With Trumpet, Drum and Fife' stands out from the crowd in that it explores new areas of the world of military musical instruments. It is easy to read format and conciseness unwraps a depth and breadth of detail contained within. The chapters of the book guide you from the Ancient World through to the Restoration and up to the modern day giving examples of the origins and developments of the instruments employed. The author gives unique and well-researched accounts of the role of drummers within the military environment. The text explores the historical context of land battles and the importance of signaling instruments used in times of conflict. The status and pecking order of musicians within the military and the unique development of Drummers' uniforms are also detailed with the images contained within the book highlighting specific areas of interest.

Mike Hall's personal knowledge and experiences of being a Senior Drum Major in the Coldstream Guards add polish and credulity to the content. Reading through the book you will uncover a mine of interesting information about the evolution of Drum and Fife duty and the historical roles of the Drum Major General and the Trumpet Major. The role of the Boy Drummer is discussed in relation to his importance on the battlefield and in the application of military discipline.

'With Trumpet Drum and Fife' is unique in its approach, is long overdue and fills a niche in military history.

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• List of illustrations
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• Part I: The Ancient World
  • 1. Early Accounts of Trumpets and Drums in Military Use
  • 2. Other Percussion Instruments
  • 3. Other Influences on Military Music
  • 4. Grecian Influence
  • 5. Roman Influence in Britain – Roman Brass Instruments
  • 6. Post Romano-Britain, the Saxons and the Vikings
  • 7. 1066 and Onwards – the Norman Conquest
• Part II: From the Waytes to Cromwell
  • 8. Elevated Status – Privileges and Pecking Order
  • 9. Influence of the Crusades on English Martial Instruments
  • 10. A New Order – Foundations of a Standing Army
  • 11. Drum and Fife Commands – Posture and Motions
  • 12. The Old English March – Importance of the Drum
  • 13. Dating the Existence of the Post of Drum Major
  • 14. Cromwell – the Commonwealth and its Influence
• Part III: The Restoration and Beyond
  • 15. The Serjeant Trumpeter and Drum Major General
  • 16. Last of the ‘Sovereign Generals’
  • 17. Post-Napoleon
  • 18. TA to the Rescue – The Corps of Drums Society
  • 19. The Phoenix Arises – the Rebirth of the Drum Major General
• Part IV: Origins and Development of Instruments
  • 20. Origins, Development, Music and the Use of Trumpet and Bugle
  • 21. Bugles and Trumpets at War
  • 22. Development of the Side Drum
  • 23. Development of the
• Part V: Dress and Duties
  • 24. Dress
  • 25. Drummers and Military Discipline
  • 26. Blackamoors as Drummers
  • 27. The Drum Major – a Historical Precedent
  • 28. The English Duty – Drum and Flute Duty
• Coda
• Sources Cited
• eBooks Published by Helion & Company